Microsoft's X-Box Passes On Blu-ray

Way back when the Next Generation Format War was being fought (sometime after The Clone Wars in a galaxy not so far away...) Microsoft decided to align itself with the HD-DVD camp.  After all, Sony was the manufacturer of the rival Play Station series of game consoles, so clearly it put them rooting for the opposing team.  However, Microsoft ended up backing the loser.

Fast forward to present day.  Those X-Box 360 consoles with their HD-DVD add ons are in need of a Blu-ray add on.  This way one could watch video goodness in a hi def way from their video game player.  Is Microsoft going to cave in and do such a thing?  Apparently not.

It comes down to Microsoft not wanting to back an opposing format.  While the war may be over, Microsoft won't change their hardware to appease the winner, and in turn, their minions of loyal hi def seeking fans.  While their games stick with the HD-DVD format, there will be no viewing of Blu-ray films on the X-Box 360.  It's a games platform after all.  Tell that to PS3 fans.

Enteractive Brings a Soduku Game to Blu-ray

Enteractive, a Cologne based company, is set to release Sudokia, an interactive Sodoku game for Blu-ray players.

According to the company, "Sudokia" can be played by up to five players on Blu-ray players using a remote control.

Sudokia has detailed pictures, graphics, and animations in high resolution, accompanied by 5.1 surround sound. Nothing less! Pretty impressive for a... well, a Sudoku game.

Enteractive is already busy developing further innovative electronic games on Blu-ray that can be played on standard Blu-ray players, on XBOX 360HD and Playstation 3, and on high-end computers.

Hans D. Henseleit, CEO of Enteractive GmbH, says, "The new High-Definition Formats provide much more than a crystal clear video screen. In our game development, we are particularly attracted to the interactive potential of the HD DVD and Blu-ray player respectively. We already have more games in development and are delighted to play a pioneering role in this new market segment."

You can watch a demo after the break.

Digital Leisure Brings Space Ace to Blu-ray Discs

Any Space Ace fans out there? If you are, you'll be happy to know that Digital Leaisure brings this classic to Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. Scheduled for next spring (April 8th), Space Ace has been completely restored and enhanced with an all-new 5.1 surround sound mix. All of the special features on the disc were shot natively in 1080p including all-new interviews with creators Don Bluth, Gary Goldman and Rick Dyer, and for the first time a full length visual commentary of the game.

Space Ace allows you to play the heroic Ace who must stop the evil Commander Borf from taking over the Earth!  Armed with only a laser gun, Ace must find and destroy the ‘Infanto Ray’, rescue his girlfriend Kimberly and save the Earth. All in a day’s work for a superhero, right?

Not sure if Space Ace is for you? Read this review of the PC version released late last year.

The Blu-ray disc includes:

Blu-ray Movie Review: Dragon’s Lair

This week, I had a chance to play with Dragon's Lair on Blu-ray disc. I used the Playstation 3 to play this new release of the popular game of the 80s. Playstation's Bluetooth remote control was used to control the game.

I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of Dragon's Lair, but the evolution of the game throughout the years and even decades now (the first version came out 1983) is very interesting and surprising. Dragon's Lair is in a class of its own and it can't be compared to any other games on the market.

In this game, you become Dirk the Daring, and you are on a quest to rescue the Fair Princess Daphne who has been kidnapped and is being held captive by Singe the Evil Dragon. To do this you must survive a perilous journey (sort of!) and defeat all your adversaries. You have to make your way through the castle and caverns below the castle by using your controller to move and wield the sword.